Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S6O-02575

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 September 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what road safety improvement works have been planned for the A96 near Huntly.

Question reference: S6O-02570

Asked by: Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 September 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how it is progressing its integrated transport plan for Fort William to reduce congestion and increase resilience and reliability on the trunk road network.

Question reference: S6O-02556

Asked by: Ruth Maguire, MSP for Cunninghame South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 September 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what impact the measures in its Programme for Government 2023-24 will have on the growth of the economy in North Ayrshire.

Question reference: S6O-02553

Asked by: Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 September 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what it is doing to tackle the gender pay gap and promote equal pay.

Question reference: S6O-02560

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 September 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Fiscal Framework.

Question reference: S6O-02566

Asked by: Bill Kidd, MSP for Glasgow Anniesland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 September 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to propose a parliamentary debate on the removal of nuclear weapons from Scotland, as proposed in its paper, Creating a modern constitution for an independent Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-21583

Asked by: Clare Haughey, MSP for Rutherglen, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 September 2023
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Elena Whitham on 20 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its review of the minimum unit price.

I am pleased to announce that today we have published the Scottish Government report on the operation and effect of Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) in its first five years.

Later today, we are launching a consultation on the continuation of the minimum unit pricing legislation beyond 30 April 2024, when it is otherwise due to expire. We believe our proposals strikes a reasonable balance between the positive public health benefits and any effects on the alcoholic drinks market and subsequent impact on consumers.

The consultation builds on Ministerial engagement with business and health stakeholders which has taken place throughout the summer and is supported by an interim Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment which will also been published today.

We would encourage everyone to take the time to respond to the consultation.

Question reference: S6W-21115

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 20 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that technical skills, such as woodwork and metalwork, remain an important part of the secondary school curriculum, in light of reports that new-build schools are in some cases not as practical for delivering such courses.

Technical skills development forms part of the Curriculum for Excellence Experiences and Outcomes in the Technologies. As such, the development of those skills should remain an important part of the school curriculum throughout the Broad General Education (BGE).

In line with the STEM Education and Training Strategy, the Scottish Government supports the development of a range of STEM-related skills. This includes programmes of professional learning for teachers, an awards programme for young people and a range of remote learning resources.

In terms of new-build schools being suitable to deliver courses such as woodwork and metalwork, the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Strategy is clear that learning environments should support and facilitate excellent learning and teaching to meet the needs of all pupils. The Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) is being delivered in partnership with local authorities (which have responsibility for school buildings) and will benefit tens of thousands of pupils across Scotland. The LEIP aims to deliver modern learning environments, including spaces for practical subjects.

Question reference: S6W-21134

Asked by: Roz McCall, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Natalie Don on 20 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, following the First Minister's statement on the Programme for Government 2023-24, when the minimum pay of £12 per hour for the private, voluntary and independent (PVI) sector will be implemented.

In Programme for Government we committed to providing the necessary funding to enable childcare workers delivering funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) in the Private, Voluntary and Independent (PVI) sector to be paid at least £12 per hour from April 2024. That includes childminders.

A communication issued to the sector on 6 September setting out more details on the commitment. This confirmed that the Scottish Government will work with COSLA and local authorities to support the implementation of this commitment and will set out further details in the coming months.

It is anticipated that payment to support delivery of this commitment will be provided through the sustainable rate setting process, as is currently the case for the ELC real Living Wage commitment.

Question reference: S6W-21135

Asked by: Roz McCall, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Natalie Don on 20 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, following the First Minister's statement on the Programme for Government 2023-24, how often the Cabinet Sub-Committee for The Promise will meet.